Kadakin recalls Gujral's contribution to Indo-Russian ties

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Last Updated: Fri, Nov 30, 2012 14:50 hrs

Russian Ambassador to India, Alexander M. Kadakin, today mourned I.K. Gujral's demise, and said that the former Indian Prime Minister made a tremendous contribution to stronger relationship between New Delhi and Moscow, which blossomed in strategic, special and privileged partnership.

The Russian envoy said Gujral's demise is a great lost not only for India, but also for Russia and the whole world.

"I.K. Gujral, when he was the Ambassador to Russia, when he was a minister in various capacities, when he was the Prime Minster of India, he made a tremendous contribution to stronger relationships between Russia and India, which blossomed in strategic, special and privileged partnership," said Kadakin.

"He was the Ambassador in Russia at a very difficult time, when for the first time in India another government come to the power, but it was the that time when the famous formula, which work till now, it was the national consensus of the Russian-Indian friendship was invented," he added.

Kadakin further said that he has lost a very close senior personal friend and a fatherly figure following Gujral's demise.

"I offer my deepest condolences to his brother Satish, his son Naresh and his family who have become really our own family," he added.

Gujral, 92, breathed his last at Gurgaon's Medanta Hospital earlier today after a prolonged illness.

Born on December 4, 1919, Gujral was the 12th Prime Minister of the country.

Gujral was Information and Broadcasting Minister in 1975 and served as Minister of External Affairs in the V.P. Singh Government. He became the Prime Minister on April 21, 1997 and remained at the post till March 19, 1998.

During this tenure, he propounded the doctrine for better relations with the neighbouring countries, which is known as 'Gujral Doctrine'.

Gujral, who also participated in India's freedom struggle, was also jailed in 1942 during the Quit India Movement. (ANI)